Spotlight: Kuniyasu “Jeffrey” Ota

Getting to know Ellwood Thomspon’s sushi wizard

Chances are if you’ve visited the sushi counter at Ellwood Thompson’s in the past decade, you’ve been greeted by the familiar and friendly face of Kuniyasu “Jeffrey” Ota, or perhaps heard his contagious laugh from across the aisle.

A staple of the store, his presence has become as ubiquitous as the locally owned market itself.

“When Ellwoods’ customers come in, I don’t know English very well, but I know them,” says Ota. “There’s a lot of the same people.”

Born and raised in Myanmar, Ota moved to Japan shortly after college to find work, landing an IT job in Tokyo. After entering a new chapter as a father, Ota and his family relocated to Richmond in 2009. That same year he would join the crew at the Carytown grocer Ellwood Thompson’s— and he hasn’t looked back since.

Formerly living in the unofficial sushi capital of the world, it wasn’t until immigrating to the U.S. that he began to learn the ins and outs of the delicate craft. Ota credits much of his skillset to James Kyaw, a fellow Myanmar immigrant, and sushi chef of the Fresh Sushi Express.

“I didn’t know anything and then he taught me a little bit and I just kept learning and making sushi and getting better,” says Ota.

The father of two typically starts his day before the sun rises. While most people are sleeping soundly or just waking up, at 6 a.m. Ota is making rice, cutting fish and prepping everything from sashimi platters to vegetarian sushi burritos in anticipation for a steady lunch rush. 

Known for his dedicated work ethic, and ability to make others smile, Ota is prideful of what he presents to customers, and happy about the community he has found at Ellwood’s.

“Ellwood’s has always been very kind to me,” says Ota.